US kills Yemeni navy forces 'carrying out duty' toward Palestine, Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
31 Dec 2023 19:34
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The Yemeni army spokesperson announces that the armed forces' naval units successfully targeted Maersk Hangzhou ship that was heading toward the Israeli occupation entity.

The spokesperson of the Yemeni Armed Forces Brigadair General Yahya Saree making a video statement on Sunday, December 31, 2023 (Yemeni Military Media)

The Yemeni Armed Forces announced on Sunday the martyrdom of a number of its naval forces, who were killed by US forces while carrying out "their duty" in preventing Israeli and "Israel"-bound ships from crossing the Red Sea.

Along with the same statement, spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree also announced that the army's navy units successfully struck with three naval missiles Maersk Hangzhou, which was heading toward the occupation entity.

In the details of the US attack, Saree said: "While the Yemeni armed forces' naval units were carrying out their routine official duties in securing stability, protecting maritime navigation, and fulfilling their humanitarian and moral responsibilities, including Yemen's declaration to prevent Israeli ships or those headed to the occupied Palestinian ports from passing through the Red Sea, American enemy forces attacked three boats belonging to the Yemeni navy. This resulted in the martyrdom and loss of ten navy personnel."

The spokesperson confirmed that the United States "bears the consequences and repercussions of this crime," stressing that the US' military "maneuvers in the Red Sea to protect Israeli vessels will not deter Yemen from fulfilling its religious, moral, and humanitarian duty to support and champion the oppressed in Palestine and Gaza."

Enforced equations

Sanaa declared last month that it will commence operations against Israeli and Israeli-affiliated ships in the Red Sea in support of the people in Gaza until the war on the Strip stops.

The enforced decision compelled many major shipping companies to adopt significantly lengthier sailing routes, leading to increased costs, insurance premiums, and the delivery time of cargo heading to the occupation entity.

The matter got worse for "Israel" after the Yemeni Armed Forces announced a new equation earlier this week following a US veto on a ceasefire in Gaza at the UNSC meeting, which added that ships heading to "Israel", regardless of their nationality, to the ban, and expanded the scope to include the Arabian Sea alongside the Red Sea.

Fracture coalition

Earlier this month, the US announced the launching of the Operation Prosperity Guardian initiative. However, major shipping companies announced they will not resume navigation through the Red Sea over security fears.

While the US-led maritime coalition has witnessed severe fractions, including France and Spain exiting the group, Washington insisted to continue militarizing the water passageway.

Maersk was the only party stating that it would gradually restart sailing through the strategic trading route, but the decision was shortlived as the company revealed today that it would again suspend its operations in the Red Sea following the Yemeni attack on Hangzhou.

US and its allies must beware

Amid the growing escalation and tensions, Saree issued a warning on Friday, stating, "We caution the American enemy of the repercussions of any escalation against our nation and our people."

He emphasized that Yemen's stance on the Palestinian issue is "steadfast and principled, and will remain unchanged, regardless of developments or challenges," adding that the YAF are fully prepared and ready to counter any aggression.

Addressing Washington, the spokesperson said: "You should heed the warnings of the leader of the Ansar Allah movement [Sayyed Abdul Malik al-Houthi]."

On that note, the Ansar Allah leader affirmed earlier that "the United States will be a direct target if it attacks Yemen," indicating that the Americans are aware of the gravity of this warning.